Deer expected to be larger as hunting season begins

Thousands of hunters took to the field in western New York Saturday on the opening day of deer season, buoyed by warm, sunny weather.

Estimates of the number of deer killed weren't available Saturday afternoon, but the turnout at the Department of Environmental Conservation's voluntary deer check station in Avon was on a par with recent years, wildlife biologist Art Kirsch said.

The deer themselves, though, were above-average in size, with Kirsch said was due to an abundance of the apples and nuts that deer eat. "I've never seen a year that's so good for wildlife food," he said.

Kirsch said he did not have information about hunting accidents.

One hunting-related firearms mishap was reported by the Ontario County Sheriff's Office, which said 48-year-old Kevin J. Perrin of the town of Canandaigua was shot in the lower leg when his .44-caliber handgun discharged. The gun, which was in a holster, fired when a foreign object — possibly a tree branch — activated the trigger as Perrin stepped over a tree trunk.

A hunting partner drove him to F.F. Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua, and he was later transferred to Strong Memorial Hospital. No charges will be filed, deputies said.